Apex Challenge

The Apex Challenge is a twice yearly Scout competition which I help to help to organise twice a year. It is open to Explorer and Network Scouts (14-25 years old) and attracts hundreds of competitors. We've been running it since 2002.

The events are usually held close to South Yorkshire. Each one is centred around a main six hour activity where teams collect as many points as they can by completing adventurous activities in the hope of winning the big prizes available for the top three teams in each age category.

What makes the event different to many Scout competitions is it is non-linear. Teams get to choose exactly where they go and try to plan how best to maximise their points total. Each team is given a map of the playing area. There'll be around a dozen main activities to try with things ranging from abseiling to climbing, weaselling or assault courses. Each wins them 50 points for successfully completing it. Between these main activities are up to 30 other control points. These can each add between 5 and 30 to a team's score.

My main role in the event is looking after the website and the printed documents that carry the Apex Challenge branding. Having never been involved in Scouting until two friends got me to help out with this I now find it tremendously rewarding seeing how much the teams of youngsters taking part appreciate all the effort that is put into making sure they enjoy the events.

There are more details at www.apexchallenge.co.uk.